Magufuli hails TCU curbs on varsities, programs

President John Magufuli has hailed the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) for blacklisting 19 universities from admitting students in the 2017/18 academic year for failure to meet set requirements.

Dr Magufuli was speaking on Thursday evening on his way from his upcountry tour to Dar es Salaam, where he stopped by Tegeta residents at Kinondoni municipality in the city.

He said it was time the country ended the bad experience of ghost workers and ghost students, as such a person, when appointed manager, work for his own personal gain and not for the betterment of the country.

He said among the efforts he has made since his being elected was to increase the loan amount to higher learning universities to Sh483bn from Sh371bn that will enable them enroll more undergraduates.

“The government will continue to take various steps to tackle challenges facing the society,” he said, acknowledging public support for his 2015 polls win.

Earlier this week, TCU banned 19 colleges and universities from admitting students to any degree courses during the 2017/18 academic year after reports uncovered serious shortcomings on their part. Different reports blacklisted them for providing poor quality education.

The TCU also stopped the admission of students to 75 Bachelor’s degree programmes in 2017/18 in 22 universities and colleges, including some courses at the University of Dar es Salaam and at the University of Dodoma.

TCU’s acting executive secretary, Prof. Eleuther Mwageni, told the media that reports have showed several limitations in some colleges. As a result, the commission has suspended enrolment of first year students for the year 2017/18, he said.

The 19 institutions that will not be allowed to admit students to any degree programmes 2017/18 are Eckenforde Tanga University, Jomo Kenyatta University (Arusha) and Kenyatta University (also in Arusha), United African University of Tanzania, International Medical and Technological University (IMTU) and the University of Bagamoyo.

Others are St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Archbishop James University College, Archbishop Mihayo University College, Cardinal Rugambwa Memorial University College, Kampala International University Dar es Salaam College and Marian University College.

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